FCDS Director, Gary Levin, Reflects on 35 Years in Cancer Surveillance

By Stephanie M. Hill, MPH, CTR, NAACCR | January 12, 2026

With his retirement date fast approaching, I asked Gary Levin, long-time director of the Florida Cancer Data System, to reflect on his 35 years in the cancer surveillance field. Gary was a 2025 recipient of the Calum S. Muir Memorial Award in recognition of his leadership and service to NAACCR and for the promotion of…

Advancing Global Collaboration in Childhood Cancer Research: Data Resource Mapping and Federated Network Matrix

By Fernanda Michels | January 5, 2026

In November 2023, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) (with support from NAACCR) and the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) co-sponsored the Paris Conference for an International Childhood Cancer Data Partnership. Organized within the framework of the first working group of the G7 Cancer Initiative and supported by the European Commission, the meeting brought together…

An Interview with Our New RDU Chair

By Recinda Sherman, PhD, MPH, ODS-C | December 29, 2025

An Interview with our new Research and Date Use Committee Chair It was so much fun interviewing the RDU Co-Chairs last December that I decided to interview our newest Co-Chair, Angela Eckstrand, this December Angela replaced Jeff Dowden (our resident rock star) from the Newfoundland Cancer Registry when his tenure ended. Yes, this means both…

Using Median/Multiple Outlier Testing (MMOT) to Support Central Cancer Registry Operations

By Fernanda Michels | August 3, 2026

Central Cancer Registries continuously strive to improve data quality while ensuring that data are fit for research, surveillance, and cancer control activities. One promising approach is the use of Median/Multiple Outlier Testing (MMOT), a benchmarking method developed by Dr. Huann-Sheng Chen of the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Research Program. MMOT helps identify unusual patterns in…

National Childhood Cancer Registry Summer Feature

By Fernanda Michels | July 27, 2026

The NCCR Summer Feature shares the highlights from the National Childhood Cancer Registry (NCCR) session held at the 2026 NAACCR Annual Conference. This edition also features funding opportunities, new data source included in the NCCR Data Platform upcoming CCDI symposium, and the 2026 NCI Data Jamboree. Highlights of the 2026 NAACCR Annual Conference The 2026…

Exploring New Approaches to Data Collection: Modular Records Task Force Final Report

By Ashley Knealing | July 20, 2026

The Modular Records Task Force was initiated in August 2025 to support the NAACCR Board’s Strategic Plan on the strategic initiative for Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records): Improving timeliness through innovative approaches to data collection. The purpose of the task force was to define a new “modular” approach to cancer…

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OUR MISSION

Actionable content that unites cancer registries.

The Narrative strives to provide you with information you can use to enhance and strengthen your cancer registry. Look to the Narrative for the latest cancer surveillance news, trends, advances in technology, and latest educational opportunities.

OUR VISION

Make every cancer count.

Cancer affects thousands of people across North America every year. Each cancer case must contribute to our knowledge and understanding so that we may reduce the burden of these diseases. Narrative provides a platform for the cancer surveillance community to collaborate and share data that will improve health outcomes.

CANCER REGISTRY SPOTLIGHT: MICHIGAN

Successful Linkage Between Registry Database and LexisNexis

In our ongoing commitment to enhance the quality and accessibility of data, we are thrilled to announce the successful linkage between our registry database and LexisNexis. This integration represents a significant step forward in streamlining our data processes and expanding our analytical capabilities.